Let’s be real for a second. Most of us don’t talk about our digestive health until something goes seriously wrong. We ignore the bloating, push through the discomfort, and convince ourselves that heartburn after every meal is just… normal. It’s not. And that’s exactly why our very own Dr. Anshuman Chawla recently sat down with WVON Radio to have an honest, eye-opening conversation about gastrointestinal diseases, what they are, why they matter, and why so many of us are unknowingly living with them.
If you missed it, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered right here.
First – The Numbers That Should Stop You in Your Tracks
Dr. Chawla opened the conversation with some statistics that honestly hit hard. Gastrointestinal diseases affect 70 million Americans. They result in 472,000 deaths annually. And they cost the healthcare system a staggering $100 billion every year.
That’s not a small problem. That’s a crisis hiding in plain sight.
And here’s the part that really matters for our community: gastrointestinal diseases disproportionately affect African Americans. Whether it’s colon cancer, gastric cancer, or other digestive conditions, the numbers are higher, and the access to early care is often lower. That gap is something we take seriously at GI Partners of Illinois, and it’s a big reason Dr. Chawla was on that radio station in the first place.
So… What Even Are Gastrointestinal Diseases?
If you’ve ever wondered exactly what falls under the umbrella of “GI problems,” Dr. Chawla put it perfectly: it’s basically everything from your mouth to your, well, the other end.
We’re talking heartburn, acid reflux, stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, liver issues, hepatitis C, and yes, even colon cancer. Gastrointestinal diseases cover the entire digestive system, including the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. It’s a wide world of conditions, and a lot of people are quietly suffering from one or more of them without even realizing there’s a medical name for what they’re going through.
One of the most common? GERD: gastroesophageal reflux disease. You probably know it as heartburn. And here’s a fun (well, not really fun) fact: the reason it’s called “heartburn” is because, way back, people actually thought they were having a heart attack. The burning in the chest after eating or lying down mimicked cardiac symptoms so closely that the name just stuck. Wild, right?
IBS: The Diagnosis Nobody Wants, But Many People Have
Another condition Dr. Chawla discussed is Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS. And if the name alone makes you cringe a little, same.
IBS involves irregular bowels, bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, or often some charming combination of all of the above. But here’s what’s interesting: doctors don’t just jump to an IBS diagnosis. As Dr. Chawla explained, it’s actually a diagnosis of exclusion. That means before landing on IBS, your doctor needs to rule out everything else, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, H. pylori infection, and other gastrointestinal diseases that might be causing your symptoms.
It’s a process. But it’s an important one. Because the last thing you want is to be told “it’s probably IBS” when there’s actually something more serious going on that needs treatment.
The Pancreas: The One We’re Still Trying to Crack
One of the more sobering parts of the conversation was about pancreatic cancer. The host asked what many of us have wondered: why can’t we catch it earlier?
Dr. Chawla was honest about it. There’s currently no reliable early screening mechanism for pancreatic cancer. No standard blood test. No routine scan. By the time most diagnoses are made, the disease has already progressed significantly. It’s one of the hardest realities in the world of gastrointestinal diseases, and it’s why research in this space is so critical.
The good news? Treatment options have improved. But catching it early remains the biggest challenge, and it’s one that the medical community is actively working to solve.
Colon Cancer Screening: Please, Just Get It Done
Now, here’s where we’re going to be direct with you in the best possible way.
Get your colonoscopy.
Colon cancer is one of the most preventable gastrointestinal diseases when caught early. During a colonoscopy, doctors can actually find and remove polyps, small growths that have zero symptoms on their own, before they ever turn into cancer. That’s not just early detection. That’s prevention.
Current guidelines recommend that both men and women start colonoscopies at age 45. And for African Americans, the conversation with your doctor may need to happen even sooner, given the higher incidence rates in the community.
We know the prep is nobody’s idea of a good time. Dr. Chawla acknowledged that, too. But here’s the thing: the prep is temporary. Colon cancer is not. And March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, so there’s no better time to make that appointment.
What You Can Actually Do Right Now
Here’s something refreshing: a lot of what prevents gastrointestinal diseases comes down to choices you can make today. Not tomorrow, not after the holidays, today.
Dr. Chawla broke it down simply:
- Eat more fiber. Whole foods, fresh fruits, and fresh vegetables. Less processed, less fried.
- Move your body. Even a daily walk keeps your gut moving.
- Drink more water. Seriously. Most people are dehydrated.
- Add probiotics. Yogurt, kefir, fermented foods, or a supplement if your diet doesn’t cover it.
- When you gotta go, go. Holding it in regularly? Not great for your gut.
- Manage your stress. Anxiety and stress are legitimate contributors to gastrointestinal diseases. Your gut and brain are more connected than most people realize.
None of this is revolutionary advice. But Dr. Chawla made a point that stuck: most people are falling short on all of these things simultaneously. And that’s when the problems start stacking up.
Why an Independent Practice Makes a Difference
One thing that came up in the conversation, and something we’re genuinely proud of here at GI Partners of Illinois, is what it means to be an independent practice.
When you call us, you talk to our staff. When you come in, you see your doctor. No layers of bureaucracy, no being passed around between nurse practitioners and assistants before anyone actually listens to your concern. It’s personal, it’s direct, and we believe that kind of relationship between patient and physician genuinely leads to better health outcomes.
We’re a physician-led network of independent gastroenterology practices serving the greater Chicagoland area, and that independence matters.
The Bottom Line
Gastrointestinal diseases are incredibly common, often overlooked, and in many cases very manageable or even preventable when caught in time. Dr. Chawla’s conversation on WVON Radio was a reminder that digestive health isn’t a topic to push to the back burner. It’s central to how you feel every single day.
Start with your primary care doctor. Talk about your symptoms. Get your screenings. And if you’re ready to take the next step in your digestive health journey, we’re here for you.
Watch the Full Podcast on YouTube
Want to hear Dr. Anshuman Chawla break all of this down in his own words? Watch the full WVON Radio Podcast on our YouTube channel. It’s worth every minute, and you might learn something about your gut that you didn’t know you needed to hear.
